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05/29/1997BUDGET PUBLIC INPUT MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 29, 1997 Present: Rita Garvey Mayor Ed Hooper City Commissioner J. B. Johnson City Commissioner Karen Seel City Commissioner Tina Wilson Budget Director Brenda Moses Board Reporter Mayor Garvey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at Morningside Recreation Center, Clearwater. Approximately 19 residents attended the meeting. Mayor Garvey explained that this meeting was the last of 3 public informational budget hearings, and an opportunity for the public to express their opinions. It was noted that a series of employee meetings had been held to present the City Vision and obtain employee input. A video tape was presented which explained the purpose of the City Vision. Budget Director, Tina Wilson gave a slide presentation explaining the City’s budget from a historical perspective, as well as anticipated future City budgets. The general fund budget and how revenues are derived from franchises, utility taxes, and property taxes were explained in detail. Interfund charges and transfers, which are charges to enterprise operations such as Utility systems, the Parking fund, the Marina, and Water and Sewer operations were discussed. Intergovernmental revenues include federal grant funds, state revenues and revenue sharing as well as county revenues for Fire and EMS services and comprise a portion of Clearwater’s revenues. Licensing and occupational licenses also comprise a portion of the general fund budget. Population growth over the last 10 years in Clearwater has been stable. Clearwater’s current population is approximately 103,000, which is an increase of 6,000 residents over the last 10 years. It was noted that a citizen’s total millage rate includes the City’s millage as well as the Pinellas County School Board, and the Juvenile Welfare Board tax millages. City expenditures were explained. The budget consists of employee salaries and fringe benefits, operating costs, internal service costs, debt service costs, and transfers. It was noted that 10 years ago the City had a total of 1,598 employees. Today there are 1,682 employees, as well as some grant-funded positions and contractual employees. Many new programs have been added with a minimal number of additional employees. A major portion of the City’s budgeted dollars are slated for public safety. The City Commission has mandated that a portion of the City’s general fund budget be maintained in a saving account. It was noted that the City is in the process of preparing the City Manager’s budget, which is expected to be released within the next 2 months. A resident asked questions about grant funds for public safety and equipment, schools and other public services. It was noted that jails and schools were not within the City’s perogative. The City’s Police Department actively seeks grant funding to enhance Clearwater’s public safety programs. A question was posed regarding recharging the secondary water which is currently dumped from the sewage plant into the bay. It was noted that Clearwater has an advanced wastewater treatment system which converts water to a 99.9% purity level before it is dumped into the bay. A question was asked what could be done to make that water potable. It was remarked that the issue would need to be further investigated. Currently, pipes are being laid for reclaimed water in Island Estates in an effort to further utilize wastewater supplies. Health clinic issues were discussed. Some of the clinics are operated by the Salvation Army and other agencies which annually receive grants to assist their operations. It was suggested some of the clinics were little known and in remote locations, and that services need to be expanded. It was noted that prevention through Morton Plant Hospital’s wellness programs will be very helpful to the community. A resident suggested the City look for new ways to raise revenues and reduce expenditures. He suggested the City challenge each Department to reduce their individual budgets by 3% to 5% if they have not already done so. It was suggested that the City reduce the general fund savings account to the minimum 10% reserve mandated by the City Commission, giving taxpayers a millage reduction. In response, it was remarked that the current reserve could be substantially reduced by an unexpected emergency, and reducing it intentionally would not be prudent. It was noted that the City has already asked individual Department Managers to offer suggestions for 5% reductions in budgets for fiscal 1997/98. In response to questions, the City is reviewing the purchase of the Bayview property. A portion of that property is on county land. Some citizens attended the meeting in support of the Arts. A resident expressed her appreciation of the City’s support and requested that more activities be planned. She stated that children who participate in the Arts perform significantly better in school. It was noted that the City wants to increase community activities to promote the Arts and other causes, but it is important to obtain community input for those activities to be effective. It was suggested inviting national groups such as the Barbershop Quartet to hold their annual meetings at the Harborview Center. A suggestion was made to condemn some of the uninhabitable properties in the City that are hazardous to others in the community. It was noted that the City has an aggressive minimum housing program which has enabled the City to demolish hundreds of properties over the past few years that have been deemed unsafe. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.